US4374310A - Switch arrangement on motor vehicle steering wheels - Google Patents

Switch arrangement on motor vehicle steering wheels Download PDF

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Publication number
US4374310A
US4374310A US06/246,616 US24661681A US4374310A US 4374310 A US4374310 A US 4374310A US 24661681 A US24661681 A US 24661681A US 4374310 A US4374310 A US 4374310A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
steering wheel
pad
switch
main frame
horn
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US06/246,616
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English (en)
Inventor
Shinichi Kato
Hiroshi Tsuda
Kiyoshi Yamaki
Tadashi Suzuki
Fumiyoshi Kuwano
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nissan Motor Co Ltd
Original Assignee
Nissan Motor Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nissan Motor Co Ltd filed Critical Nissan Motor Co Ltd
Assigned to NISSAN MOTOR COMPANY, LIMITED reassignment NISSAN MOTOR COMPANY, LIMITED ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: KATO SHINICHI, KUWANO FUMIYOSHI, SUZUKI TADASHI, TSUDA HIROSHI, YAMAKI KIYOSHI
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US4374310A publication Critical patent/US4374310A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q5/00—Arrangement or adaptation of acoustic signal devices
    • B60Q5/001—Switches therefor
    • B60Q5/003—Switches therefor mounted on the steering wheel
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
    • Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
    • Y10T74/00—Machine element or mechanism
    • Y10T74/20—Control lever and linkage systems
    • Y10T74/20576—Elements
    • Y10T74/20732—Handles
    • Y10T74/20834—Hand wheels

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a steering wheel device equipped with a horn switch and other switches for operating other electric devices.
  • An instrument panel of an automotive vehicle is equipped with a number of switches for operating a variety of electric devices such as a radio, stereo, air-conditioning device.
  • a radio, stereo, air-conditioning device such as a radio, stereo, air-conditioning device.
  • the horn switch and other switches are provided on the steering wheel, the horn switch often cannot be easily located amongst these switches in emergency cases where horn operation is essential.
  • a steering wheel device comprises a steering wheel including a plurality of operation switches arranged in corresponding openings provided in a steering wheel pad.
  • the pad functions as a horn switch so as to prevent an operator from mistakenly operating the operation switches during horn switch operation.
  • the outwardly facing surfaces of the operation switches are steering wheel pad.
  • the top of the operation switches is recessed from the front surface of the steering wheel pad a predetermined distance within the operation holes formed in the steering wheel pad.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a steering wheel device for an automotive vehicle in which a horn switch and other switches can be prevented from being operated by mistake.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a steering wheel device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2--2 in FIG. 1.
  • a steering wheel 10 is connected to steering shaft 11 in an automotive vehicle at mounting portion 12.
  • a steering wheel pad 17 is attached to a central portion of steering wheel 10 to constitute a part of a horn switch.
  • a plurality of operation openings 28 are formed in steering wheel pad 17.
  • a switch operation knob 19 is placed in each operation opening 28.
  • Each switch operation knob 19 includes an outwardly facing front surface 19a that can be depressed through the respective operation opening 28 to operate a connected electric device, such as a radio, air-conditioning device and stereo, except the horn (not shown).
  • a steering wheel frame 13 is attached to steering wheel mounting portion 12 with bolts 16.
  • a plurality of operation switches 18 are each secured to steering wheel frame 13 with screws 20.
  • Switch knobs 19, mentioned above, are attached to control operation of switches 18.
  • a nut 15 is screwed on a thread portion 14 of the steering shaft 11 so that the steering wheel mounting portion 12 may be fixed to the upper end of the steering shaft 11.
  • the steering wheel pad 17 is used as a horn switch.
  • a main frame 22 supports the steering wheel pad 17.
  • the operation switches 18 pass through the respective openings of the main frame 22 and are fixed at the bottom thereof onto the steering wheel frame 13.
  • Horn switch contact arms 21 are provided on the underside of main frame 22 and are connected to a lead wire 26 for operative connection to a horn (not shown).
  • the steering wheel frame 13 includes a plurality of cylindrical guide portions 13A protruding therefrom.
  • the main frame 22 has a plurality of collar portions 22A which can be slidably arranged on corresponding guide portions 13A of steering wheel frame 13.
  • Coil springs 25 are placed along each guide portion 13A and collar portion 22A between the steering wheel frame 13 and main frame 22.
  • a washer 23 is fixed to the right end of the guide portion 13A by means of a screw 24.
  • the main frame 22 is biased toward the washer 23 by the force of the spring 25.
  • a plurality of flexible or elastic attachment arms 27 are attached to the bottom or underside of steering wheel pad 17 with screws 27a. The free end of each attachment arm elastically engages openings 22B of main frame 22 so that steering wheel pad 17 is detachably secured to the main frame 22.
  • Steering wheel pad 17 is rectangular in shape, as shown in FIG. 1, and slightly curved or convex, as shown in FIG. 2. Also, steering wheel pad 17 includes four rectangular holes 28, as mentioned above, through which switch knobs 19 of the operation switches 18 can be operated. It is preferable that each switch knob 19 be positioned in corresponding operation hole 28 so that the top of switch knob 19 (i.e. front surface 19a) is spaced-away from or recessed below the front surface of steering wheel pad 17 by the distance A, as shown in FIG. 2. In this manner, the top of switch knob 19 does not protrude from the front surface of steering wheelpad 17 when the pad is pushed down against the biasing force of spring 25 in order to actuate the horn.
  • switch knob 19 i.e. front surface 19a
  • each switch knob 19 is formed from conductive rubber to facilitate operation of the knob within operation hole 28.
  • steering wheel pad 17 is pressed down at any part thereof against the biasing force of spring 25 until switch contact arms 21 contact bolts 16.
  • the lead wire 26 is grounded to close a horn actuating electric circuit (not shown), thereby actuating the horn.
  • Operation switches 18 are operated by inserting a finger into an operation hole 28 to depress the desired switch knob 19. In this manner, the horn switch or steering wheel pad 17 is easily distinguishable from knobs 19 and is not easily pushed by mistake when the operation of a switch 18 is desired.
  • all operation holes 28 are rectangular in shape, they can be of different shape.
  • various shapes such as a circle, triangle, rectangle and other shapes can be employed in the steering wheel pad 17. In such a case, a desired switch can be easily selected by a touch method.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Steering Controls (AREA)
  • Push-Button Switches (AREA)
US06/246,616 1980-03-25 1981-03-23 Switch arrangement on motor vehicle steering wheels Expired - Lifetime US4374310A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP55-37764 1980-03-25
JP3776480A JPS56135349A (en) 1980-03-25 1980-03-25 Switch device on steering wheel

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US4374310A true US4374310A (en) 1983-02-15

Family

ID=12506531

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US06/246,616 Expired - Lifetime US4374310A (en) 1980-03-25 1981-03-23 Switch arrangement on motor vehicle steering wheels

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US4374310A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS56135349A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4594486A (en) * 1984-02-16 1986-06-10 Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Steering wheel provided with horn switch
US4638131A (en) * 1986-01-15 1987-01-20 General Motors Corporation Steering wheel pad keyboard switch assembly
US4857677A (en) * 1987-03-04 1989-08-15 Anritsu Corporation Dial device
US5001311A (en) * 1989-03-27 1991-03-19 Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Horn switch mechanism of steering wheel
US5036169A (en) * 1989-03-27 1991-07-30 Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Steering wheel horn switch
US5265904A (en) * 1993-01-07 1993-11-30 Ford Motor Company Airbag cover with integral horn switch
US5265905A (en) * 1993-01-07 1993-11-30 Ford Motor Company Air bag cover horn blow switch assembly
US5350190A (en) * 1993-07-06 1994-09-27 Primrose, Inc. Air bag assembly mount including snap-fit horn attachment
EP0610160A3 (en) * 1993-01-19 1996-08-28 Cavis Srl Radio receiver and horn control device, applied to a motor vehicle steering wheel.
US5855144A (en) * 1992-07-13 1999-01-05 Parada; Nikolay Steering wheel
US5950494A (en) * 1996-09-27 1999-09-14 Nihon Plast Co., Ltd. Steering wheel
US6349616B1 (en) * 1998-11-12 2002-02-26 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Steering system
US6561060B2 (en) * 2000-06-14 2003-05-13 Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg Vehicle steering wheel attachment
US20040050612A1 (en) * 2001-12-05 2004-03-18 Kenichi Katae Handle knob for industrial vehicle
US7360786B2 (en) * 2004-12-17 2008-04-22 Takata Corporation Horn switch device, airbag system, and steering wheel
US20100059971A1 (en) * 2006-06-15 2010-03-11 Autoliv Development Ab Safety arrangement and a method of assembling a safety arrangement
US20150371794A1 (en) * 2013-02-02 2015-12-24 Daimler Ag Operating Device with Optical Finger Navigation Module for a Steering Wheel

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19624463A1 (de) * 1996-06-19 1998-01-02 Fendt Xaver Gmbh & Co Steuereinrichtung für Nutzfahrzeuge, insbesondere für landwirtschaftliche nutzbare Schlepper

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2863015A (en) * 1948-10-13 1958-12-02 Hermann H F Ahrens Steering wheel
GB1111235A (en) * 1965-03-13 1968-04-24 Mario Vitaloni Push button switch
US3544743A (en) * 1968-02-10 1970-12-01 Kazuhiro Takei Printed circuit control panel for a vehicular steering mechanism
US4004114A (en) * 1974-05-09 1977-01-18 Franco Sportoletti Baduel Horn switch for motor vehicles steering wheels
US4131772A (en) * 1976-03-30 1978-12-26 Robert Bosch Gmbh Switchbox and control unit assembly for automotive vehicles

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2206512A (en) * 1938-04-11 1940-07-02 Victor A Reinholz Remote control for radio receiving sets
DE7706056U1 (de) * 1977-02-28 1977-06-30 Zehender, Lothar, Ing.(Grad.), 7333 Ebersbach Kraftfahrzeug-sicherheitslenkrad mit eingebauten bedienungsschaltern
JPS53111939A (en) * 1977-03-09 1978-09-29 Nissan Diesel Motor Co Ltd Device for manipulating vehicle

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2863015A (en) * 1948-10-13 1958-12-02 Hermann H F Ahrens Steering wheel
GB1111235A (en) * 1965-03-13 1968-04-24 Mario Vitaloni Push button switch
US3544743A (en) * 1968-02-10 1970-12-01 Kazuhiro Takei Printed circuit control panel for a vehicular steering mechanism
US4004114A (en) * 1974-05-09 1977-01-18 Franco Sportoletti Baduel Horn switch for motor vehicles steering wheels
US4131772A (en) * 1976-03-30 1978-12-26 Robert Bosch Gmbh Switchbox and control unit assembly for automotive vehicles

Cited By (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4594486A (en) * 1984-02-16 1986-06-10 Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Steering wheel provided with horn switch
US4638131A (en) * 1986-01-15 1987-01-20 General Motors Corporation Steering wheel pad keyboard switch assembly
US4857677A (en) * 1987-03-04 1989-08-15 Anritsu Corporation Dial device
US5001311A (en) * 1989-03-27 1991-03-19 Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Horn switch mechanism of steering wheel
US5036169A (en) * 1989-03-27 1991-07-30 Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd. Steering wheel horn switch
US5855144A (en) * 1992-07-13 1999-01-05 Parada; Nikolay Steering wheel
US5265904A (en) * 1993-01-07 1993-11-30 Ford Motor Company Airbag cover with integral horn switch
US5265905A (en) * 1993-01-07 1993-11-30 Ford Motor Company Air bag cover horn blow switch assembly
EP0610160A3 (en) * 1993-01-19 1996-08-28 Cavis Srl Radio receiver and horn control device, applied to a motor vehicle steering wheel.
US5350190A (en) * 1993-07-06 1994-09-27 Primrose, Inc. Air bag assembly mount including snap-fit horn attachment
US5950494A (en) * 1996-09-27 1999-09-14 Nihon Plast Co., Ltd. Steering wheel
US6349616B1 (en) * 1998-11-12 2002-02-26 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Steering system
US6561060B2 (en) * 2000-06-14 2003-05-13 Trw Automotive Safety Systems Gmbh & Co. Kg Vehicle steering wheel attachment
US20040050612A1 (en) * 2001-12-05 2004-03-18 Kenichi Katae Handle knob for industrial vehicle
US7204338B2 (en) * 2001-12-05 2007-04-17 Kabushiki Kaisha Toyota Jidoshokki Handle knob for industrial vehicle
US7360786B2 (en) * 2004-12-17 2008-04-22 Takata Corporation Horn switch device, airbag system, and steering wheel
US20100059971A1 (en) * 2006-06-15 2010-03-11 Autoliv Development Ab Safety arrangement and a method of assembling a safety arrangement
US8201847B2 (en) * 2006-06-15 2012-06-19 Autoliv Development Ab Safety arrangement and a method of assembling a safety arrangement
US20150371794A1 (en) * 2013-02-02 2015-12-24 Daimler Ag Operating Device with Optical Finger Navigation Module for a Steering Wheel
US9793069B2 (en) * 2013-02-02 2017-10-17 Daimler Ag Operating device with optical finger navigation module for a steering wheel

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS6215375B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1987-04-07
JPS56135349A (en) 1981-10-22

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